2. misc-audio
  3. 128637-2248

Owens Corning 703 vs. Roxul Safe 'n' Sound?

I'm going to make some sound absorbing panels to place on the wall behind my listening chair. Owens Corning 703 and Roxul Safe 'n' Sound rigid boards are two choices to make them with. Anyone have experience with both, or even one?
128x128bdp24
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

Yes, that is true.  There can be a benefit to putting bass traps in the middle of the walls.  However, you will only be able to attack some of the axial room nodes (not all).  It's still a benefit, though.  The link here does a room node calculation for my current HT room:

http://amroc.andymel.eu/?l=17.5&w=11.25&h=9&ft=true&r60=0.6

If you move your mouse pointer over each of the axial room nodes (the tallest lines on the frequency chart), you'll see in the "Room 3d" graphic that some nodes will build up on the front/back walls, some will build up on the side walls and some will build up on the ceiling/floor.

Interest article I found here:

http://ethanwiner.com/density.html

Where Ethan Winer found that putting Twelve 3" 703-FRK panels in a room absorbed more bass frequencies than Six 6" 703-FRK panels.  These are frequencies down in the 40-80Hfz area.  Makes me think of using the 703 FRK instead, because my room is becoming a little too dead with the Rockboard 80 panels even.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24 OP
9,947 posts
 
The amroc program is exactly where I learned of all the modes/nodes in a room! What a great aid in understanding what's going on in any size room, and where acoustic treatment will give the most results. I hadn't seen Ethan Winers article, so thanks auxinput. I'm gonna read it right now.
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,379 posts
 
Ethan has a Manufacturer's forum section on audioasylum that is full of great info relating to room acoustics and treatments. Much of the content is many years old but still among the most helpful I've seen. 
Lately, I've seen his name brought up in some controversy on other topics which I don't recall, but regardless, he is a top educator on room acoustics and he donated much time and energy in helping other with similar situations. Cheers,
Spencer
bdp24's avatar
bdp24 OP
9,947 posts
 
Thanks a million Spencer. Yeah, I've seen Ethan, an objectivist, and some subjectivists get into squabbles on other sites. He's a "If you can't prove it with measurements, it doesn't exist" kinda guy. That's fine with me when it comes to acoustics!---Eric.
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
I want to add some information regarding acoustic panels with a wood backing.  I got my order of Rockboard 80 (6 panels).  Two of the panels I was making for another room and I glued 1/4 plywood to the back and then wrapped it with Gilfurd of Maine fabric.  The back panel would allow me to hang it on the wall.  In between the time I was waiting for more fabric, I used these in my audio room.  I found that there was a ringing/blare in the midrange area that was being influenced by these panels.  Through testing, I swapped out other panels and determined that the wood back on the acoustic panel was resonating -- even when the board was on the back side of the fiberglass.  The blare/ringing definitely bugged me.  Long story short, I don't recommend the use of acoustic panels with a solid wood back.  Having a square frame around the edges is okay, but no large surface area that can resonate.
More to discover